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WAUNAKEE WRESTLING

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4

Jan, 2019

Warrior wrestling places sixth at Bi State Invitational

There are few tournaments in the state of Wisconsin that are bigger.

The Waunakee wrestling team was in La Crosse this week for the Bi-State Invitational; a two-day tournament featuring 69 teams from across Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Bi-State Invitational

 

The Warriors had a strong showing in La Crosse, placing sixth overall.

“All of the kids battled…” said Waunakee’s Head Coach Mark Natzke. “Each weight class had numerous wrestlers that either qualified for state last year or were ranked in the state. At this tournament, coming away with a medal is an accomplishment.”

Seven Waunakee wrestlers were able to leave with a medal, each contributing significantly to the team score. At 220, Reed Ryan placed highest on the team, finishing in second place. Ryan won each of his first four matches by fall to earn a spot in the championship match.

“In the finals, he had a close match,” Natzke added. “But [he] gave up some near falls that ended up costing him the match.”

Zach Marek at 182 was the next-highest finisher for the Warriors, placing fourth. Marek lost a tight match in the quarterfinals, but earned a pair of pins in the consolation bracket to make it to the third-place match, where he fell to Lancaster’s Troy Klein.

“Every match he wrestled he was in and battled the entire time,” said Natzke.

Other Warrior wrestlers placing included Ty Miller at 145 in fifth, Sam Lorenz at 120 and Berhett Statz at 126 in seventh, Colton Grinlde at 170 in ninth, and Kolby Heinz at 106 in 12th.

 

“Ty Miller had an outstanding tournament,” Natzke said of the senior. “Coming in as the 13 seed, he advanced all the way to the semifinals and lost 6-4 to the eventual champion.”

Miller scored a last-second takedown in his fifth-place match to get the win.

Braysen Ellis (138) and Dan Ford (195) also had winning records at the tournament, but fell just short of placing.

“Dan Ford wrestled up two weight classes and came up just short, losing on a last second takedown to make the second day,” Natzke said. “He doesn’t back down from anybody and gives fits to everybody that he wrestles.”

As a team, the Warriors scored 212 points, which was a half point ahead of Holmen and Pulaski. Waunakee’s next contest comes on Friday at home in what could be their most important dual meet of the season against Sauk Prairie.

“[It] could very well determine the conference championship,” said Natzke. “The winner will probably have the inside track as we enter into the final few weeks of conference duals and conference tournament.

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